Monitoring adherence to a medication regimen using a sensor

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring and/or managing adherence to a medication regimen that involves use of a sensor. Dispensing medicine from a container commonly involves pressure being applied to the container, which results in expansion of the container. In some embodiments, pressure is applied by a user through an aperture of the apparatus. In some embodiments, a processor monitors pressure sensor data from a pressure sensor that is physically coupled to the container and arranged such that activation of the pressure sensor indicates the container has expanded in response to the user applying pressure. A processor analyzes the pressure sensor data to determine whether medicine has been dispensed from the container. A computer system can compare the dispensed medication to a planned medication regimen to determine a state of compliance with the medication regimen.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A medication device comprising:
 a jacket configured to hold a container of medicine, wherein the jacket includes an aperture that allows a user to apply pressure to the container to dispense medicine and a first pressure sensor arranged such that activation of the first pressure sensor indicates the container has been inserted into the jacket; 
 a second pressure sensor coupled to the jacket and arranged such that activation of the second pressure sensor indicates the container has expanded in response to the user applying pressure to the container through the aperture; and 
 a wireless communication module configured to exchange data recorded by the second pressure sensor with a communications device. 
 
     
     
       2. The medication device of  claim 1 , further comprising a monitoring module configured to:
 activate the second pressure sensor in response to the first pressure sensor sensing the container has been inserted into the jacket; and 
 deactivate the second pressure sensor in response to the first pressure sensor sensing the container has been removed from the jacket. 
 
     
     
       3. The medication device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an audio input device configured to record the user and transmit the recordings via the wireless communication module. 
 
     
     
       4. The medication device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an audio output device configured to project a prerecorded audio recording or receive, and then project, an audio recording in real-time via the wireless communication module. 
 
     
     
       5. The medication device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or a pressure sensor. 
     
     
       6. The medication device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more tactile sensors configured to activate and deactivate one or more motion sensors that detect movement of the jacket and the container. 
     
     
       7. The medication device of  claim 6 , further comprising a monitoring module configured to use the one or more motion sensors to monitor movement of the container and activate the second pressure sensor upon sensing movement. 
     
     
       8. The medication device of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more tactile sensors measure pulse, heart rate, oxygen saturation, glucose concentration, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       9. The medication device of  claim 8 , wherein a dose of medicine to be dispensed by the medication device is modified based on the user's pulse, heart rate, oxygen saturation, glucose concentration, or combination thereof measured by the one or more tactile sensors. 
     
     
       10. The medication device of  claim 7 , further comprising a medication detection sensor configured to sense medicine leaving the container and record data regarding medicine dispensed from the container. 
     
     
       11. The medication device of  claim 10 , wherein the medication detection sensor includes an optical component to detect the medicine dispensed from the container. 
     
     
       12. The medication device of  claim 11 , wherein the monitoring module is configured to activate the medication detection sensor upon sensing movement. 
     
     
       13. The medication device of  claim 7 , wherein the jacket further includes one or more light sources that convey visual information to the user, wherein the visual information conveyed to the user includes the user's progress towards completion of a medication regimen, quantity of medicine remaining in the container, a reminder to take medication, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       14. The medication device of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more light sources are light-emitting diodes. 
     
     
       15. The medication device of  claim 7 , wherein the jacket includes one or more speakers that convey auditory information to the user. 
     
     
       16. The medication device of  claim 7 , wherein the first pressure sensor includes a wing pressure mechanism. 
     
     
       17. The medication device of  claim 7 , wherein the jacket is one of a plurality of jackets having openings of different sizes to hold containers of various sizes. 
     
     
       18. The medication device of  claim 17 , wherein the medication device includes a removable electronic compartment that can be attached with any of the plurality of jackets. 
     
     
       19. The medication device of  claim 7 , wherein the communications device is configured to convey visual and auditory information to the user, wherein the visual and auditory information includes the user's progress towards completion of a medication regimen, quantity of medicine remaining in the container, a reminder to take medication, or a combination thereof.